Air pollution affects much more than just the air we breathe. Every living thing needs clean, breathable air, from humans and animals to plants and trees. These needs make combating air pollution a major priority for all, to help heal and protect our planet and our future.
Air pollution is a common problem among large cities, anywhere in the world. Large amounts of traffic, large industrial areas, and dense population centers contribute to the amount of pollution in the area. The effects of air pollution reach all parts of the world, wreaking havoc on humans, plants, and animals. Changes in air and water quality create dangerous and even deadly situations. Below are just a few of the dangers of air pollution.
o Breathing polluted air can damage the heart and lungs. Similar to the effects of tobacco smoking, breathing in particles in polluted air can cause people and animals to develop heart and lung diseases that can eventually be fatal.
o People with certain medical conditions may find that high levels of air pollution exacerbate their symptoms. People with asthma, allergies, and diseases that lead to breathing problems are usually the worst affected.
o Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen as a “breathing” process. When pollutants are present in the air, plant life will also breathe in these particles. This causes serious problems within the plant’s cells, resulting in poor growth and possibly death or plant death.
o Residues of chemicals and pollution in the air deposit themselves on plants, preventing necessary photosynthesis from occurring. Without the ability to receive adequate sunlight, plants quickly change color and die.
o Moisture in the atmosphere picks up dangerous chemicals and pollutants in the air, leading to more problems for the environment. The resulting acid rain can find its way into groundwater and other waterways, creating a dangerous situation for plants, animals, and humans alike.
Air pollution contributes to water and soil pollution that can be disastrous for all living things.